Friday, December 11, 2009

Ibn Tulun Mosque - Friday Dec 11 2009

You read about our adventures with dumb and dumber. India and I would never allow crappy drivers to ruin a perfect day for having fun.
We started off the day at the Ibn Tulun Mosque which first opend for prayer in May 879. That make sit a meer baby compared to the Pyramids.
The funnest part about Egypt is the lack of barriers and bars. If you want to climb the minaret and hang your feet off the side there is nothig to stop you. Not that this is something many tourists would ever do but you can if you want to.
We arrived at the Mosque early to avoid the crowds. Just kidding. This is one of Egypts greatest sites and hardly anyone visits. It is a shame since it is the oldest Mosque in Egypt. It was built by Ibn Tulun who was sent to rule Cairo in the 9th century by the caliph of Bagdad. He set himself up a mini dynasty and they ruled Egypt for a few generations. He was far enough away that he probably thought "Hay I can be a King or something, no one will notice. Someone finally did and the Tulins got their buts kicked after the reconquest of Egypt by Baghdad. The mosque was left standing because it was a religous building.
We entered the Mosque and a nice man ties slippers on your feet to protect the carpets. You tip him into a small cardboard box. He is not shy about saying "Money in the box" Make sure you carry small Egyptian notes with you for tipping because you tip everywhere. To our delight we had the entire Mosque to ourselves. Make sure you stop at the information boards and take a look at the information it is really something the amount of care that is taken when restoration is being done.
The first reaction may be that you are in an empty warehouse type rock building but take time to notice the detail work in the rock, the beautiful inlay and the worn smooth polished rocks of centuries of travellers and worshipers. Stop and notice the peace and energy in the building. Cairo is like Vegas or Wallmart on boxing day but here in the middle of the open court yard if is quiet.
We were joined by a security man who shared what he could in English which was very litle. Our farm Arabic does not do us much good in the city. no one asked us the parts of a donkey..lol
I love the people of Egypt other then dumb and dumber everyone has been helpful and pleasent
India and I climbed to the top of the minaret on tny narrow stairs. In Canada or the US they would never let you go that high. There are no barriers or bars. We felt on top of the world and it was windy. You could for see for miles and miles. It was a clear day with a beautiful sky.
We laughed and played taking pictures for so long the security guard climbed up to find us. I am sure he was thinking he would find two women frozen in fear of the height and in need of rescue he did not expect to find us sitting with our feet over the edge enjoying the view and taking funny pictures.
When you visit the mosque keep track of the time. Prayers still take place and you cn not be wandering sround when prayers are going on.
Attached to the Mosque is a small and fabulous museam. This is a must. we were rushed though becuase it was almost time for prayer and the workers wanted to go pray. It was probabl good becuase we are very bad at time management and had many things to accomplish still.
trivia question" What Jame Bond movie had shots from this museam????"
the museam is two 9th century homes joined by a passge way. It has secret rooms and is in my humble opinion a must see. I will return on my next trip to spend more time. It is named for Dr. Anderson who was a great collector of art and period pieces. He looks like an interesting man with a sense if humor. I expecially liked the drawing of him as the Spinx.
It is time to start my day. Riding lessons, and then a gret afternon with the Donkey sanctuary vets, staff and families for dinner. Indi made a chili and we bought sweets to die for. banana bread has been baked and rice krispie squars are in the plans.
This is a country you need to visit to really get the feel. I will tell you abobut the Texas talking Egyptian man at the Harley sho later.
Ya just gotta love this place